Happy Birthday, Sophie!

March 1, 2012
Happy Birthday, Sophie!

Dear Sophie,

 Eight months. It’s been eight months.

 I haven’t seen you in so long. I miss you greatly. It has been over eight months since our goodbye. Eight months into my past, I longed so much to know where I would be right now. With all of the chaos and confusion and pain in being a world away from you, I am right where I wanted to be – doing everything I can to see you again.
 With every single ounce of my being, I am thankful that God brought you to me. I still remember the day we met, how you looked curiously at me. I remember holding you when you cried and joining you shortly afterwards. I remember the way your chubby hands felt, holding tightly to my fingers and the unique texture of your hair. The memories of your beautiful country and everything in it have faded a lot with time, but those special memories hit me every once in a while and I remember again.

 Today is your birthday, Sophia Grace. Three years ago, God brought you to this earth with a great purpose. Time has flown by and you’re getting so big now. You’re a tiny little girl but God has performed HUGE miracles in your three years of life. I’m excited to see the miracles yet to be shown through you. No word in the dictionary can describe how overjoyed I am to be a part in your life.

 Something that you may or may not know is that I have waited a lifetime for you. I have searched and waited and prayed that God would bring us together soon. Little did I know the faith I would have to have, the miles I would have to travel, and the pain I would have to endure to find you.
 Sophie, through your life, I have received joy. I experienced a kind of unexplainable happiness when I was with you and knowing that leaving you wasn’t the end. You gave me a reason to smile through my tears and to laugh when my world is shaking.
 Through your three years of life, I have learned what hope truly is. I think that hope is believing with your soul, knowing that God holds the future, and that the best is yet to come. You have taught me how to hold onto God when there is nothing else left to hold onto. You’ve taught me to trust and to believe and to keep dreaming in the midst of a thousand voices screaming, “It’s impossible!”
 I have been given the gift of courage, through you. I faced many fears to get to you and I have conquered many more just by seeing what God is capable of doing through small people. I have been on a roll of public speaking….I have shared my story of finding you to so many people in so many different places. You are rocking hearts everywhere! I am no longer afraid of planes – I actually love flying now. I have written many songs because of you and I have actually PLAYED and SANG them to people…lots of them! Oh, and I just started to learn how to drive last month, just because I can! I’ve spent years afraid of coming to the point of learning to drive…but want to know what I told myself? I said, “Whatever. I can do it.” So….I did. I took Driver’s Ed and I learned all about cars and driving. And now I love to drive.
 God has taught me how to love, through you. With GOD’S love….the truest love in the world. I never knew that I could love a human as much as I love you. I never thought that I could care enough about someone to see my life as, “it’s really not about me.” Please know that I never could’ve found you or had this much faith to believe that you were really out there without experiencing the never-ending love of God. I never could have had enough courage to step way out of my comfort zone if God hadn’t shown me a love that is so unconditional. But I have, and that’s why I was able to whisper to you, “Wo Ai Ni (I love you)” and mean it with every part of me.

 The day we meet again cannot come fast enough, but we’re trying as hard as we can, I promise. I imagine that day and daydream about that moment so often. It’s so close, yet so far away…

 I am so excited to be your big sister, to love you, and to care for you. I promise to always be there for you when you need ears to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to help you, mouth to teach you, and encouraging words to support you with whatever you choose to make of your life. You were created to make a difference in the world, Sophia Grace. You’ve already made a difference in me and in my family. God is using you to stir hearts, everywhere….. Always keep your eyes on Christ and trust in Him always. You will never go wrong with going to the Lord with whatever you’re facing.

 “God is never early and He is never late. He is always right on time and His plans for you are good.”

                                      

We love you, Sophie!

 

  Sophie, we all are looking forward to having you in our lives. Mommy, Daddy, Caleb, Kadin, Brodee, and me. Brodee often says, “Soapie lives in China….far, far away. She needs to come home NOW.” I agree with him so much.
As I write this, (February 29^th, 2012) it is 6AM where you are now. We sent a birthday package for you, today, to a lady that will be throwing the March birthday parties in a couple of weeks at MBHOH! I can’t wait for you to receive your gift from your family.
 So many people are thinking of you as you turn three years old, today. You are deeply loved and wanted.

Wo Ai Ni. I love you, Sophia Grace Edwards.

 Your Big Sister,

 Emily

Sisters forever. Forever and ever.

Trials and Blessings

I’m starting to think that the adoption process is much like a wild ride at Six Flags Amusement Park!  The last four weeks have brought such a wide range of emotions to our family.  It is hard to take it all in at times. 

On December 22, we found out that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services were asking for more information before they would grant their approval for us to adopt.  This was the last paper that we needed to complete our dossier.  We were anxiously awaiting its arrival so we could get our dossier sent to China.  The news of its delay was hard.  But, that was only the beginning of our trouble.   

Our precious paperwork that made up the rest of our dossier has been sent overnight to our agency……two weeks before!  It still had not arrived at its destination.  No one could tell us why it was last seen in Texas.  Its destination was Colorado!  This news literally made me nauseous.   I had worked for months collecting the documents and had hundreds of dollars tied up in it.  I simply could not fathom the idea of starting over.  But, I was willing if that was what it took to bring Sophie home. 

Those were the moments that I felt like I was racing down that big hill on the roller coaster.  Gaining speed, going faster, with my eyes closed, praying that I would survive.  I wasn’t sure that I could do it.  My head hurt.  I was tired.  I missed my little girl. 

But, God is faithful even when I am not.  He is strong even when I am weak.  He still moves even when I stop to pout.  I am so thankful for this!

To make a long story short, the papers were finally found and delivered.  Their delay was assumed to be because of a snowstorm and the holidays.  It took some work but the USCIS finally did grant their approval.   Our dossier is now complete and is currently being translated.  It will be mailed to China at the end of next week.  It would be sooner but the Chinese New Year will be celebrated all of next week so offices will be closed.  

One last, huge blessing:  we are the recipients of a much needed, much appreciated adoption grant from Show Hope.org!  Praise the Lord!  We stand amazed at how God has blessed our adoption financially.  We started in July with empty pockets and a $25k+ mountain in front of us.  All we had to offer was our faith and obedience.  That was enough.  Our Lord and Savior has met every need we have encountered along the way.  We stand amazed at the miracle He has given us.   

Blessings,

Rachel

The Miracle of the Moment: Goodbye

6 MONTHS AGO-

 It was the day before I left for China, when I received a Facebook message from a young lady named, Rachel Winters. Rachel went to MBHOH in June of 2010. She lives just 30 minutes from me and we met through a mutual friend…actually, several mutual friends.
 In the email, she wrote words that helped me tremendously as I was preparing for my trip in China for 12 days. The last part I wrote down in my China journal, which I took with me and had at all times while in China. I wrote just a paragraph down of what she told me:
 “Enjoy every single minute while you’re there. Treasure the smells and the sights, even though the smells are completely disgusting. Let yourself feel – both pain and joy. Don’t wish for anything that’s coming up, but just let the Lord use all of you – heart, soul, mind, and strength – to bring HIM glory and to be HIS love to those sweet kiddos in every moment!”

 I almost have that memorized, because I kept that in my mind throughout the trip…live in THAT moment…don’t wish for anything head…just let the Lord use you in THAT moment.  That’s something I kind of have trouble with. I’m either in the past or in the future. I’m either living moments over again or planning, in my head. So, I kept reminding myself to live in EACH moment while it’s there.

 In my own opinion, I think I did a good job with that. I definitely appreciated everything so much more while I just lived in the “now.” And now, 6 months later, I’ll remember tiny details about that trip that will just make me smile. The feeling that I got when I experienced God’s presence as clear as could be, on the rooftop of MBHOH. The smell of the towels whenever I would dry my face off after a cold shower in the morning. The taste of the water in my bottle after it had set in the sun for hours while I painted. The feeling of children tugging my hair and slobbering all over me. Gabe’s hugs, Isaac’s smiles, Franky’s mysterious looks. Fighting jetlag while touring the Great Wall of China. The pain in my feet after walking all day. I love all of those moments and so many more. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

 One memory that I will share, tonight, has been burnt into my mind forever: goodbye.



Last hug



 Sunday morning, June 12, 2011, I woke up at 5am once again to get ready to leave. I was stressed with packing up, trying to fit all of my stuff in my suitcase, I had to dry my Show Hope shirt, pour my heart out in the MBHOH book. It was a crazy morning…people everywhere. In the midst, I was trying to find time to say goodbye to Franky. I got my suitcase, ate breakfast, and pretty much ran down to the Jungle Book Room. There she was. I walked to her, got on my knees to her level, I hugged her tight, picked her up, and tears gently started to fall again.  I held her one last time and I looked into her dark, dark eyes…while they stared back into mine. Her mouth hanging open like it always does. I whispered with all of the faith inside of me, “we’ll be together again.” Of course, she’s 2 years old, she speaks a different language….she didn’t know what was going on. But I continued with, “I love you.” She was flipping my silly bands at me while I did the hardest thing in my life. I didn’t care. I kissed her forehead and tickled her as she shot me a big smile. I watched her every move. Remembering her. Taking pictures in my mind. I never wanted to forget that moment.
 After just sitting there, with Madeleine, we avoided, “goodbye.” The Nanny took her and some others out of the room. I thought they were going to the playground or something. We couldn’t understand the Nannies when Madeleine and I asked where they went. Because they didn’t come back after a while. So, we went to the playground and they weren’t there…the two of us actually ran down the driveway, looking for them. We finally came back inside to find out that they went for a walk, they went way out, we could’ve never caught them. I actually never said goodbye to Franky. At the time, I felt like I needed to hug her one more time….I needed to see her one more time….I needed one more smile. Just one more. And, I was upset.
 Everything happens for a reason.
 Everybody says that: Everything happens for a reason. And I find it to be true.
 I think that there was a reason why they chose to take a walk the day we left…when they had all week. Or that they chose that morning, when they had all day. But they chose that moment…that unexpected moment. A part of me was angry with all of the “what if’s,” and “you could’ve.” But it happened for a reason. I didn’t know why at the time, but I later thought that maybe it would’ve hurt worse for her to see me leave than it was for me to see her leave. God planned it all out perfectly and knew very well just how fragile her heart can be. But, as I stood there in the lobby, my hopes sunk, my heart tore, and my tears of sadness fell rapidly down my face. I didn’t know if I would ever see her again….and if I did, it would be a long time. I was unsure about the future and in that moment, I easily decided that I’ve never done anything quite as difficult as leaving Franky.
 Everyone on my team knew my love for her. They all knew how much it meant for me to say goodbye to her and how much of a disappointment it was for me not to. So many people started hugging me. At the moment, I wanted to just be alone. I didn’t want to be asked if I was okay. Because I wasn’t. But, thinking of it now, I needed that. I needed them.

 When we were piling into the little Chinese bus, to leave, I agreed to sit in the front with my very good friend, Callan Kreidel. We took our picture in front of MBHOH and waved goodbye to the nurses, preschool teacher, etc. I sat by Callan in the front, and broke. I didn’t care for that moment…instead of, “I want this to be over with,” my thoughts were more like, “I never even wanted this to happen.” But, then I thought back to what Rachel told me: “Let yourself feel – both pain and joy. Don’t wish for anything that’s coming up….let the Lord use all of you in THIS moment.” I knew that there would be hard moments along with the joyful ones. It was hard to see the good side in that moment of pain, but, as I thought of that on the bus, a song popped into my head. I grabbed my iPod, put one headphone in my ear, the other in Callans. I turned it to the song, “Miracle of the Moment,” by Steven Curtis Chapman. The lyrics were right on, the notes hit home, the emotion in that song was unexplainable for what I was feeling….the song was perfect.
 One thing in particular really got me:
 “And if it brings you tears, taste them as they fall. Let them soften your heart. And if it brings you laughter, then throw your head back…let it go…let it go…let it go.”

 I sat there in awe of what God was saying to me. Callan squeezed my hand as tight as she possibly could and we cried together, all the way from MBHOH to the Luoyang airport.

 I wrote this whole experience - all of the moments that day – in my journal, on the plane from Luoyang to Beijing, whenever my travel buddies fell asleep. In the midst of snoring, giggling, Chinese talking that sounded like gibberish to me….tears streamed down my face as I wrote down each moment in my notebook.

 I closed that story with this:
 “Today, while I was rubbing Franky’s face and her dark, textured hair….I accidentally called her Sophie.”

 Now, I think it wasn’t accidental. Now, I think that not being able to say goodbye wasn’t accidental. Because not even two months after that heartbreaking moment, we got a call saying, “we found her file. She’s yours if you want her!” With all of the excitement and tears of joy, I realized that I never said goodbye because God knew that I was going to see her again. Not only see her ONCE more, but I get to see her for FOREVER. It wasn’t accidental that I called her Sophie, either…because God knew that her name would be Sophie long before she stepped foot on this earth!

 Isn’t God incredible? I am still amazed whenever I tell this story. I still get goose bumps whenever I stop to realize that she IS my sister. It still seems unreal for me.

Prayer Request:
Please, everyone, pray HARD that we receive our i800a very, very SOON. It is our next step in the process and we’re very anxious to be moving on.
 And, of course, that Sophia will stay healthy and happy while she waits for us and as we wait for her.



Isaac and Sophia!



PRAISE! (I love these:)
 I am so EXCITED for the Wright family!!!!! They will be heading to China for CHRISTMAS to get their precious little boy, ISAAC!....and BRING HIM HOME!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhh!!! I am SO pumped. Isaac and Sophie are really great friends at MBHOH. They’re always together. I’m sure that they will be sad to depart from one another, BUT….when they’re both with their FOREVER families, they will only be two states away! I see lots of play dates in our future!! :) Ohhh my. I am so excited.

Thanks, everybody!

-Emily

Merry Christmas from the Edwards Family!!!

Steven Curtis Chapman's "Miracle of the Moment."


It's time for letting go
All of our if only's
'Cause we don't have a time machine
And even if we did
Would we really want to use it
Would we really want to go change everything


'Cause we are who and where
And what we are for now
And this is the only moment
We can do anything about


So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment


There's only one who knows
What's really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is he's out there waiting
To Him the future's history


And He has given us
A treasure called right now
And this is the only moment
We can do anything about


So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment


And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
And let them soften your heart
And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go, let it go, yeah
You gotta let it go
And listen to your heartbeat, yeah


Breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment

An Update

 The last month and a half have been very successful during our adoption process! I’ve received many opportunities to speak at churches about my experience in China and how it has changed our lives through adoption. The word has got out about the needs of orphans; my family has received great support financially through family, friends, and new friends….and I have conquered that great fear of mine, many times! Public speaking still scares me, but, I believe that I get better every time I put myself out there.
 Every time money is needed, it is there, right at that time. The words, “God will fund what He favors,” still send chills down my back. Last weekend, we were in need of $700 to complete the next step in our adoption. Sophie’s story was shared at two places last weekend. So, my brother and I came home from a church that I was speaking at, Sunday; and that weekend…..we were given $614. Just enough! God is so cool!
 Sophie’s book is coming along, as well! A friend of ours is working on the illustrations and they are beautiful. I’m so excited. We’re hoping that they will be done in time for Christmas gifts!

 Prayer requests:
 Please pray that God will speak to so many hearts, through our story, about His passion for the fatherless. Pray that God will speak to our fearful hearts of certain decisions that will be made. Pray that God will do GREAT things through our little children’s book. Pray for Sophie’s safety while she is a world away from her forever family. Pray that God will continue blessing us financially through this journey. Pray that everything will go smoothly and quickly so that Sophie can come home as soon as possible, and for the rest of us here waiting for her…pray that God will give us the strength that we need. Pray for my family, please.

 Since it is Thanksgiving weekend, I wanted to let everyone know how thankful we are for you. We are beyond thankful for your support and your prayers and even just reading this! We are so so thankful for your love to our family.
 Thanksgiving has been kind of hard this year, since part of us is across the world. Even though, I am incredibly thankful that God brought me to Sophia Grace when He did. And that goodbye wasn’t for forever….I’m thankful that God made Sophia and I sisters! I’m thankful for my little brothers and big brother that I am blessed with, and my amazing parents….soon we will be complete! I have faith that by next Thanksgiving, we’ll have more mouths to feed!

Thank you. So much. Every one of you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Emily

I ♥ Happy Weekends

Have you ever had a person in your life that just makes you happy? Maybe even several? Like, no matter how uncomfortable, scared, uneasy, upset, or just moody you are, you can’t walk away from that person without a smile on your face.
 Almost two weekends ago, I had the pleasure of spending time with my cousins in Kentucky to speak about my precious Sophia at their church! A couple of blogs before this one, I was writing about this, kind of, nervous feeling I had about going. I honestly don’t understand why now, but it took a lot of courage to do that.
 While I had this uneasy feeling, I had a great hour and a half chat with my cousin, Howard, on the way down. When you talk with Howard and his wife, Tammy, together, you can’t walk away not smiling.

 One thing that I’m assured of every time I talk with Tammy, is that we serve a God of details. Every tiny detail matters!
 I think one reason why we have a special bond, is because she told me that before I was even born, she knew what I looked like. Before my mom was even pregnant with me, Tammy had a dream that my mom was holding a baby…about a four month old baby girl, with dark, dark hair! She said my parents looked at her like she was crazy when she was telling them this, but just months after, my mom was expecting a little girl….me!
 I love that story she tells.
 And, one of the very many people that make me feel so loved, and so happy is Tammy Houston. She makes me feel like I can do anything.

 I got back from China on a Tuesday in hot, humid June weather. I don’t see Howard and Tammy a lot since they live so far away, but I saw them the Saturday after I got back from China, at our cousin’s graduation party. It was no mistake.
 I brought my laptop and showed everybody pictures of the sights, the children at MBHOH, and the little girl who captured my heart…..Miss Franky.
 Being back in the states for just a few days from a trip like that, I was still trying to process everything. I was still very emotional. A long talk with Tammy was just what I needed at that time. I told her all about Franky, story after story of her sweet smile and personality. I cried in fear that I would never see her again, but I left with faith that if it was in God’s favor, that He would move mountains.
 Weeks after, I received text messages out of the blue from Howard about God’s faithfulness, almighty strength, and encouragement to not lose hope.
 About a month and a half later, Howard and Tammy were very happy to hear that we had been matched with our girl and that Franky would soon be Sophia and have a family and home!

 Flash forward to the random text message just two weeks ago, asking if I would come and sing a few songs and tell my story at the Houston’s church in Kentucky.

 Although I’m not a great public speaker, I really feel like I was meant to go down there. As God spoke to me through the sweet people at Paint Lick Baptist, I’ve heard that God spoke through me as well.
 I went about 20 minutes over of my time I was told to talk, but…..you can’t say that I didn’t warn them that I was a talker. ;) It was really great. I was happy with how I did, and I’m usually not that way. I sang a couple of songs and quickly told my story of finding Franky.
 Aside from that, I had a wonderful weekend spent with my cousins, Howard, Tammy, Blake, April, and Brandon. I love you guys!

Oh! And get this! Just a few days ago, I was asked to come back! Whooo!

 I love happy weekends in the life of Emily Edwards. And, I feel like there will be many more to come! I have the pleasure of singing a song written by myself, called, “You Are Loved,” (otherwise known as “Sophie’s Song.”) tomorrow at my homeschooling co-op’s program. I’ve had a cold this week, so please pray that I will get my voice back in time! We will also have a table set up with info about adoption how you can help bring our Sophia HOME! :) Thank you all so much for your encouragement, kind words, and love towards my family.

 Happy Weekend!
-Emily

The Human Hand

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” -1 Corinthians 12:27

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same  function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” –Romans 12:4-8

 Throughout my life spent as a child of God, I’ve always wondered where in the body of Christ I belong. For every Christian, God has made special plans for their life and has a special part for him to serve. And, in a spiritual sense, I’ve always liked to believe that I serve in the hand area.
 In Science books, encyclopedia’s, or if you look up the human body on the internet, it always gives you this kind of map of man’s body. It lists organs, muscles, bones; where they are placed and how they are used. Every single part of our body works to let us do what we do.
 I’ve always been incredibly interested in learning about the body. And, I love how God uses the human body to set an example of the body of Christ: everybody as a purpose.

 My mother has always told me that my hands are pretty. Actually, a lot of people have told me that. I always thought it was kind of a weird compliment. My wrists are very tiny, and my fingers are long and boney. Even though my hands are very little, they have a great purpose in my body.
 My whole life, I never had one thing that I wanted to be when I grow up. Usually, children’s desires always are changing constantly, though. At my age today, 15 years old, I still have not narrowed any down. I’m a sophomore in high school and I’m starting to look into colleges and what I plan to do after I graduate. I eventually come to the answer, “I just want to be everything!” The truth is, I love too many things to pick one. I love to sing, play music, teach children, make short films, write, design clothes and houses, act, style hair, paint, take pictures, draw, travel, and make friends, and the list goes on. How could I possibly pick ONE for my future? Not to mention get married and have lots of children, start a family! People are crazy to try to make students believe that they can only choose one thing to do their whole life.
 Anyway, if you look at all of these things that I love doing and am somewhat good at…..you’ll find that the majority of what they all require are hands. God gave me my hands for all of these things.

 On this gloomy, rainy, October day, I was reading in my Biology book. I just started to become interested in it a few weeks ago after we got to the, “Human Anatomy and Physiology: Purpose and Design,” part.
 I was reading about muscles and bones, and there was a side note about the hand. I’m going to share what it said because I just thought it was awesome:

The Human Hand

Ordinarily, we give little thought to the mechanism of the hand. We simply take it for granted. And yet, the hand is one of the most wonderful features of the human body. The hand is so unique and so wonderful in its construction and function that it alone marks man as apart and distinct from every other creature. No other creature in the world, not even the ape, is equipped with an instrument comparable to the human hand. Normal human life without the hand would be inconceivable; without it man could never have become what he is or could have achieved what he has accomplished. Without it our civilization would be impossible. In everything that man has created, his hands in one way or another have been involved.
 Like the foot, so also the hand consists of a bony framework: muscles, tendons, fats, and nerve fibers. There are a total of 27 individual bones in the hand: 8 of these are in the wrist, 5 in the palm, and 14 in the fingers. The hand is so constructed that is lends itself to an unlimited variety of functions. But every act of the hand sets in motion a whole series of operations of the human mechanism. For example, to close the fist or make a simple grasping motion involves an array of muscles, joints, and tendons, all the way from the shoulder to the fingertips. Doing such a simple thing as lifting a spoonful of soup to one’s mouth involves more than 30 joints and 50 muscles, all of them functioning together in perfectly synchronized order.
The five fingers of the hand determine the variety and character of the manual manipulations. The most important of these is the thumb. It is the strongest and has a wider sphere of motion than the rest of the fingers. It provides the base against which the hand can perform a grasping or holding operation. The hand without a thumb has lost most of its usefulness, but a thumb with only two or even one finger is still an efficient mechanism.
While the hand is of the greatest importance to everyone in normal life, it is especially important to such people as musicians, artists, craftsmen, physicians, engineers, machine operators and, of course, many others. The hand can be developed and trained to perform astonishing feats. For example, it is estimated that a master pianist can strike over a thousand notes a minute. The well-trained typist will accomplish a similar feat. With the fingers of the hands, the skilled surgeon is able to perform a delicate operation which requires the precision of a mechanical instrument. The trapeze artist can develop the muscles of his hand to such a degree that he is able to hold with his hands and fingers many times his own weight and perform the most breathtaking stunts.
No other part of our body is intimately associated with man’s moods and general behavior. With our hands, we work and play. We create and destroy, we sow and reap, we build and construct; with them we love and heal, we communicate and express our emotions, we write books and create works of art. With our clasped hands, we express love, faith, and friendship, and with the clenched fist we threaten and attack. With the open hand we welcome friends and loved ones; the caressing hand expresses deep emotion and attraction, and with a handclasp we seal a solemn covenant. With our wringing hands we reveal the anguish of our soul, and with folded hands we express our devotion and reverence to our God.
The hand is a wonderful gift of the Creator to man. It is one of the seven wonders of the human body. Only and omnipotent and all-wise God could have designed and created the human hand.

 Everybody's hands has a miraculous purpose. They were given to you for a reason. "You are meant to be touching the lives that you touch." Go, touch the world with your God-given hands!!

"...There's not much I can do to repay all You've done. So, I give my hands to You..." -Jeremy Camp

 Happy Friday, bloggers!
-Emily

Fingerprints & Fundraising!

Rob, Caleb and I got up early this morning and made our way to the Indianapolis Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to be fingerprinted for our adoption.  Needless to say, we had never been there before.  It was a happy day bringing us one step closer to our little one. 

The waiting sometimes makes her seem like a dream to me.  I know she exist because I have pictures, videos and a huge spot in my heart for her but yet often I find myself wondering if this really will happen.  But while we wait, we have almost completed her room.  It is so cute!  Emily outdid herself again painting and sketching until it was perfect!  Her little clothes are all folded and hanging in her closet.  All awaiting her arrival! 

We continue to raise funds for the mountain of expenses that still are ahead of us.  Here are a few ways you can help if the Lord leads:

1.       We have an account set up at Lifesongfororphans.org that donations may be made on our behalf.  All donations are tax deductible.  Please use our account number: Edwards/#2406 when online.  Or donations may be mailed to:

Lifesong for Orphans

            PO Box 40/ 202 N. Ford St.
            Gridley, IL  61744

            lifesongfororphans.org

All donations will be put towards our puzzle that we are completing.  Each sponsored piece will have your name on it so Sophie will one day know the names of everyone who helped bring her home!

2.       We also have an account set up with Ordinary Hero where lots of cool merchandise can be purchased with 40% of all sales benefiting Sophia’s adoption expenses.  Make sure to click Rachel Edwards in the Affiliate box when checking out.   Not only will your purchase benefit us now but we could also win a $500 grant!  Three grants will be awarded to the affiliate who sells the most between the dates of Nov. 4 to Nov. 13!  So, go!  Start your Christmas shopping and change the world one heartbeat at a time!!!

      http://ordinaryherostore.org/

Thank you once again for your continued support and prayers.  It has carried us through some very dark and scary times! 

God bless,

Rachel